Brooke Bonner had a signing day like no other in recent years at Fort Mill High.
The 17-year-old senior was the only signee for the Jackets for their fall signing period. In recent years, signings at Fort Mill have been held with at least a dozen athletes, but Thursday Bonner was the only one. Her signing was held in the gym lobby with friends, family, coaches and administrators showering her with support. She will be heading to William Peace University to play soccer.
A four-year player for Fort Mill and a three-year letter winner, Bonner played for Charlotte Independence’s National Premier League for two years. The team won the Charleston Shootout and the WAGS tournament in Virginia her senior year.
Fort Mill Principal Gales Scroggs expressed his enthusiasm for having another Yellow Jacket athlete playing at the next level.
“We are excited because she is going to represent us at the next level,” he said.
Bonner had her choice of schools to play at. She also looked at Wingate University, Coker University, Jacksonville University and North Greenville University. But it was William Peace, a school about 10 minutes away from NC State in Raleigh, N.C. that grabbed her attention the most.
“I really liked the girls on the team and how accepting they are,” she said. “The overall environment I loved.”
Signing before her senior season at Fort Mill was something that she said was good to do because she will know where her future will take her next year. Bonner got a late start in playing soccer and didn’t start until she was in the seventh grade playing club soccer.
“It is something that takes a lot of weight off your back,” she said, regarding signing before the season. “With soccer the transition from club to high school to college is different.”
Fort Mill head girls’ soccer coach Joelle Brotemarkle said she is proud of Bonner signing and said her leadership on the team is what makes her a standout player.
“She is so talented,” Brotemarkle said. “She is such a team player. She is selfless and kind. She works so hard day in and day out.”
Bonner plans on pursuing a degree in psychology and criminology and wants to eventually be a forensic psychologist.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
